How to delete DuckDuckGo search history on mobile and desktop?

Executive Summary — Direct answer up front: DuckDuckGo does not store identifiable search histories in the way major trackers do, but the browser and app keep temporary, session-level data (open tabs, local cache) that users can and sometimes should clear. On mobile use the Fire/clear control (and Auto Clear settings) to close tabs and remove session data; on desktop clear your regular browser’s history/cache or use privacy extensions — DuckDuckGo’s own Personal Information Removal tool is a separate subscription service for data brokers and does not delete in‑browser session history ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.

1. Why people ask how to delete DuckDuckGo history — privacy claims meet practical behavior: Users ask this because DuckDuckGo markets itself around “no tracking” and minimal retention, yet practical traces remain locally (open tabs, cookies in a host browser, cached files). Multiple explainers note DuckDuckGo’s core promise that it does not store searches tied to you, making server-side deletion largely unnecessary; nevertheless, the app browser and host browsers retain session artifacts that can expose browsing if left uncleared ^{[2] [5]}. Tech guides stress that the user experience includes visible tabs and local data which users often want removed for privacy or hygiene, and that deleting local session data differs from the search engine’s non‑tracking policy, a distinction many readers miss ^[1].

2. Mobile instructions — a fast, built‑in “fire” button removes session traces: On mobile, DuckDuckGo’s app provides a Fire icon or menu option to close all tabs and clear associated site data instantly; users confirm “Clear All Tabs and Data” to wipe session-level artifacts. Recent May 2025 and earlier guides recommend enabling Auto Clear Data so tabs and data clear on app restart or after inactivity, ensuring minimal residual local traces without manual clearing each time ^{[3] [1]}. Guides also warn that bookmarks and favorites are preserved when you clear tabs, so the clear action is limited to session data rather than saved items, an important operational detail for users who want privacy without losing curated links ^[1].

3. Desktop reality — DuckDuckGo search vs. browser history: the practical steps: On desktop the relevant data usually lives with the web browser, not DuckDuckGo’s servers. Guides recommend clearing browser history, cache, and cookies through standard browser controls (Ctrl+Shift+Delete in many browsers) or using privacy extensions like the DuckDuckGo extension to block trackers and reduce logging by others. Several 2023–2025 explainers emphasize that to remove traces on desktop you must clear your browser’s local data or use private browsing modes, because DuckDuckGo itself typically does not hold a recoverable search log tied to your identity ^{[2] [6] [1]}.

4. Where the confusion comes from — product marketing vs. added services: DuckDuckGo’s public materials and help pages reiterate it doesn’t track searches, which is accurate, but this message can be conflated with the idea that “nothing is stored anywhere,” leading users to assume there’s nothing to delete. Separately, DuckDuckGo offers a Personal Information Removal subscription that targets data broker sites; this is a distinct service focused on removing PII from third‑party aggregators, not on deleting session-level browser history or local cache from your device ^{[4] [7]}. This separation of responsibilities — the search engine’s non‑tracking promise versus a paid removal service — is often omitted in casual guides and needs explicit highlighting to avoid misunderstandings ^[5].

5. Practical, defensible recommendations you can follow right now: For mobile, open the DuckDuckGo app and use the Fire/clear button or enable Auto Clear Data to remove tabs and session artifacts; expect bookmarks to remain. For desktop, run your browser’s clear‑data routine (history, cache, cookies) or use private/incognito windows and privacy extensions to limit local traces. Understand that DuckDuckGo’s server-side stance — no stored, user-linked search logs — means there’s generally nothing for the search engine to delete, but local device traces and third‑party data brokers are separate problems addressed by browser controls and optional paid removal services ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.